Page 78 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

Linc chuckles. "That is the common vampire way."

"So is going to the villages and siring more dhampirs," I mutter.

"Yes."

"Is that what you're going to do?" I shouldn't ask, especially as I'm not sure I want to hear the answer.

"No. I wouldn't want to put anyone through what I did," he responds, his words ringing true.

"Hmm, so nothing about being faithful to your wife."

He raises an eyebrow. "I don't know my wife," he points out. "Maybe she won't be interested in sharing a bed with me."

"Is that an option?" I try not to think about my own impending marriage.

"Depends on who you're married to, I suppose."

I want to ask him what he thinks the Prince will be like towards me, but I don't think I'm ready to hear the answer. I let out a sigh and lean back in my chair. "Is this going to be my future? A cold marriage and a husband who goes into the neighbouring villages to sire his heirs?" My voice cracks without me meaning it to.

Linc moves instantly, getting an annoyed huff from Pip in response as she slips off his knee. He kneels down in front of me and takes my hand in his. "It's not going to be your future, Bea."

"You don't know that." Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I've been so busy focusing on wanting to survive at court that I forgot about what getting married is going to actually mean."

I wipe away one of the tears, frustrated with myself both for crying, and for showing weakness. I have to remember I'm better than that.

Concern shines through Linc's face. "It's all going to be all right."

I grimace. "That's easy for you to say. You get to choose. You can decide to give your wife a choice. What if my husband doesn't do the same? What if I'm trapped by someone who doesn't even see me as a person?"

"Anyone with any sense would know better than to try and trap you, Bea," he says softly. "And if it comes to it, I'll have a word with him."

I laugh without meaning to. "I don't need you to rescue me."

"I know you don't," he assures me. "But that doesn't mean I won't be there to do it if you need me to."

"I appreciate it, but you can't. I know everyone is encouraging me to take a lover if it bothers me so much, but I don't think I can. It would put us both in danger." I cup his face in my hand without thinking about it.

"I don't need to be your lover to want to help you, Bea," he promises. "I'll do it as your friend."

"Do you think we can be? Friends, I mean?"

He nods. "Of course."

I raise an eyebrow.

He chuckles. "I'm not saying it would be easy. But I'd rather have you in my life, so if friends are all we can be, then that's what we'll be."

I manage a tight smile, but all I can really think is that I'm not entirely sure we're going to be able to stick to that. But I dread to think what will happen if we can't.

FIVE

The room is bustling with the seamstress' staff, and I have to admit to being a bit confused about why she needs so many people with her. But then again, what do I know? I've never even seen a dress as fine as the one I'm wearing, and that includes the wardrobe that was specially made for me when I got here.

"Lift your arms please, Lady Beatrice," the seamstress asks.

I do, trying not to feel too nervous about the fact I'm being fitted for my wedding dress. It's nothing like I ever expected to get married in. People in our village would just put on their fanciest clothes to get married, they wouldn't ever have a brand-new dress created with more lace and beading than they could even imagine.

A small part of me wants to ask if it's really necessary, but I know the answer to that already.